The History of Tapper - Arcade Console Documentary

[@Larry]

The British home computer ports used Pepsi for the branding as Mountain Dew wasn't sold in the UK at the time.

[@Deathtank75]

hey Larry! waiting for your next vid!

[@StevenCusic]

Isn't mountain dew illegal in most of Europe? I know it is in estonia, when my gf came to visit me in the usa a let her have some and she got sick haha poor girl. Now I live in tallin and I've never seen the stuff also the Coke here tastes just like it does in the states

[@Larry]

@@StevenCusic You can import it, but there's a legal recipe version available in stores.

[@TomTokyoYugi]

@@Larry Hello you!

[@theodorehsu5023]

Same for the Apple II version. I remember the bonus screen where the Mountain Dew logo was on the back glass.

[@kevinsmithwoo]

How can I like this video a 100x times?

[@jamesnoble3502]

Weird, I thought you already covered this game a few years ago. Anyway I can't get past level eight or nine to the alien bar stage no matter how often I've tried over the years. It's a hurdle I can't get over. I was playing it on a friend's MAME today and at an arcade last night.

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

I love the art of the early Bally/Midway games. All current "Retro" pixel art always looks the same, they always use the SNES style pixel art, but nobody ever copies this earlier style. I like the look of lower res backgrounds and hi-res sprites too

[@DIASTCartoons]

I do like the cartoon pixel artstyle. Pac-Land is another game that had a similar artstyle. I hate that this style is never done because people consider it as "bad/ugly" pixel art.

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

@@DIASTCartoons Yep, I loved Pac-Lands art. I played the crap out of the Lynx version back in the day

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

This is my best friend’s first video game that he had ever played (the 2600 version). And it also happens to be his birthday today! I hope he likes it!

[@TomTokyoYugi]

That sounds nice and sweet right there ♥️

[@joezar33]

Suck that it wasn't ported to 7800 , NES , Sega Master System 😕

[@bruceaskew2107]

I had so much fun with tapper i get to play every once in awhile when i visit galloping ghost

[@justinwilliam6534]

Tapper is used in Wreck it Ralph which Tapper is voiced by my friend Maurice LaMarche.

[@hadeees]

Maurice LaMarche can't be your friend because he is my friend!

[@nerdcraftercoley7305]

He's not my friend but he's one of the greatest voice actors of all time.

[@ThunderFist1978]

It always drove me nuts that they used the original Tapper cabinet and used the bartender sprite from the original Tapper, but then made root beer the drink he was serving. I think they should have just made the whole thing Root Beer Tapper rather than potentially confuse people like that, since the root beer version was its own game and not just a concept.

[@bickman2k]

The first time I played a cabinet of this was at the barber next to my parents flower shop. I'd go in to play from time to time and we'd battle for the high score.

[@SaturmornCarvilli]

Rocksmith 2014 has a Tapper mini-game for practicing changing strings on guitar. It's one of the funnier mini-games on Rocksmith, and playing it did improve my guitar playing a little.

[@BURRITO44]

Great video ! I am surprised that some arcade ports for the Colecovision were poor,

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

Patman I love your intro now!!! It's the intro on fire edition *BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!!*

[@TomTokyoYugi]

REJECTED!!!!

[@aaronperretta4303]

Pat is Tap backwards, man. That means something.

[@TomTokyoYugi]

I Agree 👍

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

LOL possibly

[@Zontar82]

@@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries PATTER then

[@x-crisis]

how Apt

[@tarstarkusz]

Hey Patman, would it be possible to add a few things to your videos? 1) The MSRP of the cabinet at the time of release. 2) The chipset (CPU, graphics chip and sound chip). This could be done in 20 seconds or just shown on the screen briefly. You say this machine sold 4000 roughly. At 2g a piece (a wild guess), that's only 8 million in revenue for Bally. Knowing the original cost of the machines would help put some of the economics of these machines into play. Earning thousands of Dollars back a quarter at a time, probably took longer in most locations than there was really time to make bank on them. With new ones coming out all the time back then, your quarter had a lot of choice.

[@XjasondagX]

This is one of my all time favorites! Glad to see you did an episode on this! It's much appreciated from this viewer!

[@scarymcclary]

My favorite arcade game next to Wrestlefest.

[@tbirddddd]

I played this as a kid in the bar area of a restaurant. I guess I got to enjoy it through a loophole. It was the 90s though, so Tapper was far from being the most controversial arcade at the time. I would've never guessed that Mountain Dew marketing to gamers went back so far.

[@Jon_from_LI]

I found it interesting that in Wreck it Ralph, Tapper serves Root Beer instead of Bud for obvious reasons.

[@gustyko8668]

6:22

[@nahumgardner]

I always watch your new videos, they're always so good. Your channel is a wonderful archive for the history of arcade games, it's really useful.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thank you very much!How nice of you to say, thanks

[@mrf19741]

My Mother absolutely loved this game! She would loop it on a regular basis at our local arcade. Ironically, a Barcade opened up right across the street from my job last year, and one of the Classic games they have is the original Budweiser Tapper!

[@chrislaustin]

This was released during the golden age of arcades, as Tapper was one of the most creative coin ops ever released. On any given trip to an arcade, 7-11, laundromat, pizza parlor, etc., you could literally see almost anything. I was lucky enough as a kid to play both versions, but I didnt have a preference either way. I was never the best player, but I loved the creativity of the game, so I would always play it at least once anytime I ran across a cab.

[@TomTokyoYugi]

COOL! 😎

[@theodorehsu5023]

Go to the Wikipedia page for Tapper, there is a link where you can play Tapper online too.

[@vidarlystadjohansen9829]

the zx spectrum "music" , I have no words

[@jamesnoble3502]

ZX Spectrum ANYTHING is God awful 😂

[@SteveCrew925]

Wow Patman you went above and beyond with this video ! Keep it up man!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thanks, will do!

[@erneststackhouse1133]

i showed my wife the Atari version as she loves Mountain Dew. On my bucket list is to play this game at a bar with a glass of beer resting on the cabinet! Then drink every time you lose a life! Thanks for this documentary & all your videos no matter how long they are it seems to just fly by! Always great to watch! Thanks again for another awesome Video!

[@jamesmoss3424]

Tapper is a 80's arcade game I will play the arcade game and I never drink alcohol in my life. 😀👍🎮

[@s34nvideos]

One of my favourite arcade games!

[@inphanta]

I'm so glad you covered this as Tapper is one of my all time favourite games. I first encountered it at a roller rink when I was in secondary school. I'd taken a little break from the skating, went to sit down and found the arcade cabinet (in its 'Root Beer' form) in the corner and ended up playing it for a good half hour! 😂 I had the 64 cart of this as well as it somehow ended up in my collection. That version was OK. Thanks again for the great content. :)

[@DingusDullmanTheodore]

First Super Pac-Man, now Tapper?! This is the reason I love this channel.

[@TomTokyoYugi]

Me too, I really enjoy this channel too.

[@tarstarkusz]

The term soda predates what we call soda pop. Carbonated water was often (though not exclusively) called soda water. IMHO, the term pop is just a regional thing. Pretty cool for a region to have their own name for something nationwide. But in the end, it's soda. The soda companies themselves call it soda.

[@Rickydiculus]

Its all Coke south of the Ohio river

[@kbramlett6877]

@@Rickydiculus And that is God's honest truth.

[@Hellwyck]

@@Rickydiculus ...and in Colombia, apparently.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I still find it creepy when a customer grabs Domino Man and hurls him into a black void. 😮

[@agentmith]

I swear I played the Budweiser version in a Chuck E. Cheese when I was little.

[@kbramlett6877]

I am unsure if Chuck E. Cheese (Charles Entertainment Cheese) still does, but back in the 80's they sold beer which could be a reason you saw it there.

[@daerth4423]

I distinctly remember playing that version there as well as a kid.

[@SharonisCarin321]

Thank you so much sir! Classic game right here. I loved the game so much I made a smash Bros moveset to Tapper himself. Legendary game

[@blackflame4506]

I always make time for another PatmanQC video in my schedule. Thanks for another awesome retrospective!

[@rush1er]

What a lot of fun this was seeing Tapper again! Played it as a kid at my local pizza parlor. Thanks Pat!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Absolutely, thanks for watching

[@F1ghtGam3r]

History of Domino Man & Timber

[@Dorelaxen]

Getting to play an authentic Tapper at an arcade as a kid was a treat. Beer branded and all, because GOD FORBID we learn about such a sinful thing as ALCOHOL as kids. It was a local pizza joint that also served beer, so I guess that's why they had it (along with tons of other games, their backroom arcade was HUGE, and the place was always absolutely packed to the gills). Thanks for this one, Pat. We all appreciate all you do.

[@tims4502]

I realized how violent this game was. I mean, you drop a glass and you die. You don’t serve someone a drink and they kill you.

[@bobkerolls13]

For anyone in the Tampa Bay area, we have the cocktail cabinet version of Tapper with the original Budweiser branding and joysticks - we would love to welcome any of you as guests. Of course, for @PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries beers are on us, as long as you don't slide us along the bar if we're late serving ya!

[@thedrunkmonkshow]

I must confess that the first time I saw this game about 20 years ago, I don't know why I was so negative about it and thought, "Wow a game serving drinks? This looks so stupid and easy." Boy was I completely wrong! This game is so much fun and I totally understand why it was such a big hit back in the day because it's casual enough to draw you in but complex enough to satisfy any hardcore gamer. After a while you sort of get into a trance or rhythm where you forget where you are and become one with the game trying to plan ahead and time when you should pick up glasses, when you should serve drinks, when you shouldn't and it's such a blast. That day taught me a lesson that just because a game appears simple on the surface doesn't mean it can't be complex and fun. You just have to be open minded and try it. 😄

[@DennisBottaro]

I played this game endlessly on my Coleco ADAM computer growing up. Well, this and FRENZY... Seeing the ColecoVision version brought me straight back to 10 year old me sitting in front of my TV and ADAM Computer. What a time was had back then!!!

[@Iskaral_Pust]

omg childhood memory unlocked

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thanks!

[@lukehinkle9614]

Gameplay needed to be simple enough that you could hold a beer and play at the same time, or play if you’ve downed a few pitchers of said beer 🍺 🎉

[@bbuildingfan01]

Wow! Somebody actually did the history of this game. This should be very interesting❤

[@Djclyve]

There was a game at my arcade where you could win a beer. A REAL BEER. It was a refrigerator with a game built into the front of it, and you had to guide a pinball up to the top hole moving and tilting metal slides. I’ve never seen anyone win it. This must’ve been like around 1982.

[@MPK112233]

Another Top Notch episode. May you continue these videos forever, always appreciate another new episode!

[@Nokia3310do]

Another great documentary. I played this at Arcade Club in Leeds, England for the first time yesterday (they have the Budweiser version). Once you understand the controls and the rhythm, it's a fun game 🙂

[@kenwheeler3637]

Hey, Pat. Another great vid. I've always liked Tapper. The originality of the cabinet design is exceptionally cool.

[@kbramlett6877]

There is a small Easter Egg. On the title screen, while the letters of Tapper/Root Beer Tapper are filling up, hold down on both taps and a screen of the programmers will pop up

[@ErikRosenquist]

Patman, I remember Tapper extremely well. I played Root Beer Tapper on Midway Arcade Treasures for the Nintendo GameCube, Xbox & PS2. Old school video games 101.

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

The Atari version looks like there Flipping us off from the wall.😂

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

100%

[@lambrinos]

Holy crap, the ZX Spectrum was queeftastic

[@TomTokyoYugi]

Yep it was.

[@jamesnoble3502]

I have yet to see any game not look like ass on the ZX Spectrum

[@mrburgess1698]

The Spectrum version plays fine but with two main problems; the attribute clash of multiple characters and the music. The music was made worse if you had an original rubber keyed Spectrum as the sound played via a built in speaker, so you could never turn it off or even down.

[@baltimoreluke]

i'm old enough to remember the original cabinet. my grandfather took me to a local bar where they had one. it was too hard and frustrating for me as a kid. i usually put my quarters in the pinball machine instead

[@marceltiel7919]

Found this nearly 40 years ago on one the many, many tapes that came with my first C64.....love it❤ Hope you're doing okay now Patman...

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

No I'm still sick

[@mabus42]

I used to frequently play the C64 edition of Tapper back in the 80's (I was a kid, so wasn't exactly frequenting bars at that time) and I distinctly remember the bonus game used mountain dew cans. What a trip down memory lane. I don't think I've ever seen an arcarde version of the game in person, much less played it.

[@F3z07]

I first learned about this game from a youtube video, I suppose talking about its unique controls. So cool that the one and only Patman chose to teach us about it!

[@JasonMarshMusic]

Thanks for the vid. I was at a vintage arcade in Tokyo yesterday, and saw this game; they rotate their game cabinets frequently. I didn't play it because I always sucked at it. I could say that about half the games you make videos about :p

[@OptimusPrimeribs]

Enjoying a PBR while I learn about this fun looking game. Would love to see this in a bar, but I was too young when it came out.

[@mightyfilm]

Suntory is actually more of a general beverage company, even producing a lot of non-alcoholic drinks like C.C. Lemon (of which the Simpsons did commercials for). And interestingly not the only game Suntory would be associated with, but in a very odd way. Konami seems to have licensed the penguins from Arctic Adventure for a series of Suntory Beer adverts and one really odd movie that both companies deny the existence of. Anyway, I love this game, but in all my years of playing could never get past the punk bar level. And I did see the original beer version at a family friendly boardwalk arcade. Recently a Barcade opened up in the same city that arcade was and also has the original Bud Tapper.

[@Fastbikkel]

Thanks again for sharing a nice video on another classic game. I also played the C64 version during my days and i liked it. It's nice to see it again and you are right about the criticism. I can remember seeing the arcade machine, but only once. Thery weren't everywhere in the arcades we had.

[@johnnygrind77]

Budweiser doesn't agree with me, so I drink it if I need to ::ahem:: clean out the basement haha

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

LOL good call

[@Jamie-nx2cg]

Always good to see you post brother. I remember my mom's boss had this on his computer. I was pretty amazed at the time. Was so cool to see.

[@Mr_Oggie]

Tapper! Funny thing: This game holds a special place in my life, even though I never played it in an arcade (or bar) and I only ever played the Commodore 64 version 2-3 times... When I was 12 years old I was teaching myself how to program in assembler on the Commodore 64 and by 13 I wrote a block of code that made it super easy to manipulate and detect multiple sprites, beyond the system limit, on the screen. My code block wound up making its way in to hundreds of games on the C64, but Tapper was the very first one

[@theodorehsu5023]

I only played the Apple II version as a kid, and it wasn't until the Wikipedia article had a link to where you could play the original game online was I able to play the Budweiser version.

[@SovrinnK]

I played the Root Beer Tapper version as a kid and liked it so much I made fan art of the little "soda jerk." it wasn't until a good decade later that I laid eyes on the Budweiser version, and I honestly thought it was a rom hack or bootleg. It wasn't until the MAME era that I found out the truth.

[@Selatomyr]

Midway had a golden age of great games. TAPPER came during that period. ❤

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

I first experienced this game at Galloping Ghost and was immediately hooked. I play it every time I go there. It's a great example of fun gameplay being timeless and more important than cutting edge graphics. I also found Timber to be pretty fun, if not quite as addictive.

[@Lauren_Tyler]

I remember first being introduced to this game on the Atari 2600 where they served Mountain Dew to customers. I later saw a standard Tapper machine in the arcade (this was late 80s-early 90s so things were probably different back then.) There's still a few machines at classic arcades in my state. As always, great job.

[@tmapes1989]

Another great vid from PAT!!! I would love to have an original with the beer shelf and brass rail!!!

[@xethnyrrow]

A classic. I never played this one much because I had trouble with the timing of filling then dispensing. Then I'd just go play Gorf because Gauntlet was always full.

[@HonkyTonkBuffalo]

First time I ever saw/played this game was at Kings Island amusement park!! It actually was the Budweiser version too. It was in the arcade over by The Racer. I never got to play it again, until I got the Midway collection for my PS2. It's still one of my all time favorite games. 😀🍺

[@J45yu456]

PMQC for the win! Thank you for consistently giving us quality content

[@BlackArroToons]

Thanks for the history of Root Beer Tapper. I played it a few times and it's a tough challenge once the patrons start sending their glasses back. Lots of shattered glass in the game! Nice review Patman, and cool to see how varied the ported versions were of this unique game.

[@adamdart3630]

At 7 years old, I was obsessed with the home computer port of Root Beer Tapper

[@zachariahscott6648]

Nice to see you again Mr.Patman. Looks like you found my next download for Mame. Rootbeer Tapper! 😇👍

[@jasonz7788]

Bravo Sir thank you! Your historical perspective is always appreciated! Arcades culture isa huge part of gen x

[@sparkster1701]

The serving minigames in Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude clearly take their inspiration from Tapper. There is even one with you serving drinks as a clear homage, though without the references like the Bud logo.

[@PREPFORIT]

I remember my friend let's call him Tom tried to copy this game from C64 But every Hacking program failed and the screen said Pirating games is Illegal. That was the first time we saw that and thought for sure Interpol would be at his door.

[@jamesnoble3502]

😮😅

[@batmandalorian5504]

Pat, @ 12:40 the chef from Burgertime is named Peter Pepper I believe.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Good call I had forgotten that

[@ThunderFist1978]

I remember the first time I saw Tapper at a bowling alley in the late 80s. I’ve only seen a Root Beer cabinet once, but have seen quite a few Budweiser Tapper cabinets since then, and I have a cocktail Tapper cabinet of my own in my basement. I have a feeling it was one of the cocktail cabinets that got Midway in trouble and forced the Root Beer version to be made.

[@lucinawalker3261]

I need to find that Suntory Tapper, cause I assume that is Suntory, the company that makes all my favorite brands of whisky and CC Lemon. What a treat that would be also I am glad someone else remembers Tapper: World Tour, it was a truly addicting mobile game

[@BearfootBob]

They also nearly released a game called "Fapper", but the controller for that one raised concerns.

[@coolnut99]

1:30 Thanks a lot, now I'm reminded of that beer-catching QTE in that crap game "The Town With No Name".

[@jacobwebb2623]

YES! "Tapper" is a CLASSIC! I remember the first time I played this game waaaaaaaaaaay back at a convenient store in my town and I have loved it ever since. Great video,,,,,, as always!

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

That is exactly where I played it during lunch breaks at school. Thank you

[@BrianRRenfro]

I think it's about time for the internet to push hard and get Patman up to a million subs.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I can't even get to 90k. I know the information is solid, perhaps it's me? idk Thanks for the thought

[@fredhill5379]

I had it for the computer. Love this game, definitely a part of my childhood.

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Played this in the midway compilation on PS1.(At youth) And PC.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

I Played it under emulation then later the compilations

[@christhompson2006]

I've only seen this version a couple of times. Usually, if i find this game, it's the root beer taper version.

[@GorgonScream]

PATMAN! Hey man, huge fan of yours, first-time commenter. I absolutely loved your short films on here long before I knew anything about you. But now having found out the unique challenges you face on a daily basis, I am absolutely blown away. I kid you not: you are the man; an absolute inspiration! Thank you for showing thousands of others the power of the will and the human spirit. I seriously cannot say enough. Plus, you have a great voice and you're obviously an extremely talented video creator/producer. This latest documentary on the great Tapper is beyond exceptional. (My all-time of yours so far is the one you did for the incredible classic, Sinistar!) Anyway, I admire you, I thank you, and I will continue to support you. May you continue making these killer short films -- and continue to bowl like a champ (amazing!) -- for many decades to come. BOOM SHAKALAKA, PATMANQC!

[@andreasstavrinou6219]

Loved this classic 83 Budwieser sud Buster.❤😂

[@asunachan9999]

I had a sixth sense to check this channel & lo and behold! A new vid! 😁🕹️❤🇵🇭

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

You must be psychic! Thanks for watching

[@yumann]

¡Gracias! Wet well soon.

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

That is very generous and extremely kind of you. Thank you so very very much.

[@SharewareWizard]

*watching video* There's no way the ZX spectrum could sound as bad as he's making ou-OH MY GOD.

[@jamesnoble3502]

😂😂😂

[@luisreyes1963]

I remember the Root Beer Tapper game at Aladdin's Castle in Chicago.

[@RyanRead]

I could never not get enough Tapper. That was a staple arcade game for me even played the old Atari X version. I would watch local college students just hitting the game left and right at the arcade.

[@Angellmbrr]

Funny how you mention the C64 was not a good version, yet that's the only tapper that I ever played and I remember it had tons of fun and spent hours and hours in it. 😮

[@ianfeuerhake1859]

They had the beer version of this at Chuck E Cheese when I was a kid. It was fun to play

[@retrobeliever]

I remember seeing that original as a kid with that wood and brass foot bar, haven’t seen one since. I didn’t know about the Mt Dew or even the Pepsi info! My god that ZX Spectrum sound made my ears bleed lol, great facts and vid as usual my friend! Hope you’re doing well!!!

[@JustinSevenTwo]

Great video, I love Tapper, and always give it a pour when I find one in a barcade! As a student of game controversies, I've never really found evidence of a pressure campaign to remove the beer theme, as logical as it may seem. What seems more likely is that Midway had just sold as many units to bars as they could, allowed the Budweiser deal to lapse, and then created an alternate version they could market to the kid-friendly venues. And if an operator then decided to continue placing the existing beer version in arcades, there wasn't much Midway could do about it anyway. Also consider that the home ports which came soon after didn't remove the beer element, only the Budweiser branding-- they're called just Tapper and the art and manual refer to beer, not root beer.

[@thedarkknight7287]

The sound of that spectrum version sounded like a bathroom stall being occupied by a guy with the runs. LOL Great Video, I have always loved Tapper!!!

[@Roger-fs5yo]

I was wondering if we'd hear from the Pat dude today😎

[@TomTokyoYugi]

PatmanQC is awesome! 👍

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Sorry I've been sick the last few days

[@PatmanQC-Arcade-Documentaries]

Thanks buddy

[@JRod-zr8qk]

That Spectrum version..... 🤣🤣😂🤣.... Queeferrific!!!

[@dochoskinsjr9807]

Great trip down memory lane!

[@JoseMolina-ij3xx]

This game's sprite designs always reminded me of a lesser known game known as Wacko. The memories.